Bandits Kidnap Pregnant Woman and 30 Others in New Niger, FCT Attacks

The wave of insecurity across Niger State has escalated again, occurring barely a week after more than 300 schoolchildren were taken from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. In a fresh attack that has thrown several communities into fear, armed bandits invaded Palaita community in Erena Ward, located within Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted residents during a violent assault.

According to local accounts, the attackers stormed a rice farm where villagers were working and forcefully seized 24 people, including a pregnant woman. The incident was described as brutal and terrifying, with eyewitnesses stating that the bandits also mutilated a visually impaired man by cutting off his hand during the raid.

Residents reported that the assailants operated for hours without interruption, moving victims into the forest through rough terrain that is difficult to access. Many families in the area are now in distress as they await updates on their missing loved ones, fearing potential ransom demands or further violence.

This latest assault comes at a time when communities in Shiroro, Munya, and other parts of Niger State continue to experience repeated attacks, forcing thousands to flee their homes. Despite growing concerns, insecurity in the region remains a major challenge, with locals calling for urgent intervention and stronger security presence.

While eyewitnesses insist that at least 24 individuals were taken, the Niger State Police Command offered conflicting information, stating that only 10 people were confirmed to have been kidnapped. Authorities explained that security agencies had been deployed to track the attackers, promising to provide verified figures as the situation unfolds.

Community leaders, however, have maintained that the number of victims is much higher than what was initially reported by the police. They argue that many families are still missing members and that the terrain makes immediate headcount difficult. Fear and uncertainty now dominate the atmosphere as the search for the abducted residents continues.

With repeated incidents of mass abductions, residents across Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are pleading for decisive action to curb the rise of violent attacks, which have continued to disrupt farming activities, education, and daily life. Local security volunteers say the region requires constant surveillance and better equipment if any progress is to be made in reducing these crimes.

As the community struggles to recover from this horrific experience, many Nigerians are calling for strengthened security reforms, improved intelligence gathering, and long-term strategies to end the recurring cycle of kidnappings across the region.